Structure — Function Aspects of the Aeromonas salmonicida S-Layer

Abstract

S-layers are important, proteinaceous, supramolecular assemblies common to a large number of bacterial species. When present they can account for up to 20% of the total cellular protein (Messner and Sleytr, 1992). In spite of their ubiquity, for the most part their specific biological functions have resisted elucidation. However, it is intuitively understood that their main roles must either be protective, aggressive, structural or some combination of these.